LEICA CAMERA AG AND MAGNUM PHOTOS PRESENT A NEW MULTIMEDIA ESSAY

Alex Majoli presents the everyday life of a gondolier in Venice through images of unmatched brilliance

Leica M9-P in Venice

Solms, Germany (June 23, 2011) – Leica Camera AG announces the debut of a multimedia essay shot by Magnum Photographer Alex Majoli. The inspirational project stems from Leica’s recent partnership with Magnum Photos and features Majoli’s account of a young gondolier in Venice. The multimedia essay is presented in conjunction with the launch of the M9-P that took place in Paris on June 21. Vital, authentic and brimming with the essence of real life – it is a narrative captured with the Leica M9-P, a new version of the worlD’s smallest, full-frame digital system camera that specifically meets the needs of professional photographers.

A full member of the prominent photographers’ cooperative since 2001, Majoli’s piece reaches beyond simply documenting a profession steeped in tradition. The images tell a vivid story of how a gondolier continues to embody the heart and soul of his city. The protagonist of the portfolio is Alvise Catullo Ragazzo, one of around 700 gondoliers in the city of Venice. Majoli has captured moments of Ragazzo’s everyday life amidst tradition and tourism. The day begins with donning a straw hat and the traditional blue-and-white-striped garb of his trade, the journey to work leads Ragazzo past the sights of the city and, of course, his skillful daily routine consists of rowing a Venetian gondola. Majoli’s portfolio also reveals the very private scenes far removed from the bustle of the city. They present an intimate view of family life; the people behind the gondoliers. Majoli has successfully recorded a sensitive portrait of a young man and his city that invites the audience to take a look at life beyond the characteristic tourism of Venice.

LEICA CAMERA AG AND MAGNUM PHOTOS SIGN AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION

Solms, Germany (June 23, 2011) – Leica Camera AG and Magnum Photos announce the commencement of a series of technological and photographic projects, building upon almost a century’s worth of shared history between two world-renowned photographic institutions. The first venture showcases a number of independently produced multimedia essays by Magnum photographers. In addition, Leica and Magnum have forged a partnership allowing Magnum photographers to utilize the latest Leica equipment in the field. With this program, the esteemed camera manufacturer is able to gain valuable insight into the distinct needs of a professional photographer and integrate the feedback into the ongoing development of the Leica product portfolio. These collaborations have been introduced in conjunction with a signed project agreement that was previously announced in February 2011.

M9-P black

Against a common historical background, Leica and Magnum will collaborate in a number of projects intended to write further chapters in the story of their many years of engagement in the field of independent documentary photography. Earlier this year, Alfred Schopf, CEO of Leica Camera AG, and Magnum Photographer Jonas Bendiksen, President of Magnum Photos International Inc., signed a cooperation agreement in Solms, Germany, to this effect.

M9-P black top

“The aim of Magnum and our photographers is to maintain our commitment to discovering the emotions of humankind, to act as witnesses and to communicate these emotions in pictures,” explained Magnum President Jonas Bendiksen. “With the signing of this new agreement, Leica has declared their commitment to joining us in bearing this common responsibility.”

In addition to supporting individual projects, Leica and Magnum will produce new essays in order to gain knowledge and insight from the experience of Magnum photographers working in the field with the latest Leica equipment. The field reports from Magnum photographers will make a significant contribution to the comprehensive user requirements analyses already performed by Leica, assisting in the mutual aim of developing the Leica product portfolio to ensure that products continue to meet the needs of photographers around the world.

M9-P silver

“The collaboration between Magnum and Leica will help us to develop and construct high quality equipment specifically designed to meet the needs of professional photographers,” said Stefan Daniel, Head of the Product Management Division at Leica Camera AG. “First-hand accounts on how Leica cameras and lenses stand up to difficult working conditions are extremely welcome and important additions to our in-factory testing procedures. A further tool for ensuring that Leica products match any demands set by the challenging everyday work of professional photographers, Magnum Photographers will provide field reports on the practical use of Leica’s current portfolio, as well testing future products on location.”

M9-P silver top

Since 1947, the year legendary photographers Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, George Rodger and David ‘Chim’ Seymour founded Magnum Photos, the photographers of this agency have been passionate eyewitnesses of history. Magnum photographers have captured the decisive moments of the 20th century through the lens of a Leica and with a dedication that remains unrivalled today.

Magnum was founded to create a framework for the independent work of its members. Even today, the idiosyncratic combination of reporter and artist still holds true as the distinguishing mark of every Magnum photographer. Their work not only captures the action as it happens but also documents the photographer’s own, highly personal art of visual perception.

Over the past 60 years, both Magnum and Leica have made enormous contributions to the documentation of world history, pioneers in their respective fields. Leica became the standard for the best cameras and lenses the world has ever seen. Combining the values of traditional craftsmanship with the finest precision engineering, the results are cameras and lenses of uncompromising quality that have helped to produce many of the images that expand knowledge and influence the perception of the world. Since the time Henri Cartier-Bresson took his first Leica in hand, Magnum photographers have continued to push forward the limits of documentary photography and the limits of their Leica cameras when documenting epoch-making events around the world.

Magnum Photo

Magnum Photos is an extensive prominent photographers’ cooperative owned and operated by its members. Magnum photographers work as chroniclers with decisive individuality. Their pictures interpret and communicate the peoples, events, issues and personalities of the world to an international audience. With four offices, in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, and a network of 15 territorial distribution partners, Magnum supplies images and multimedia material to the press, publishers, advertising agencies, TV stations, galleries and museums throughout the world.www.magnumphotos.com and http://inmotion.magnumphotos.com

Leica Camera AG is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the construction of lenses. And today, in combination with innovative technologies, Leica products continue to guarantee better pictures in all situations in the worlds of visualization and perception. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Solms, in the state of Hesse in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. www.leica-camera.com

LFI – Leica Fotografie International has been the leading magazine for Leica photographers since 1948. In addition to the presentation of style-setting icons of the past decades, LFI also regularly publishes exciting contemporary feature articles and the work of up-and-coming young talent. At the same time, LFI also offers inside stories from the world of Leica, comprehensive test reports, useful tips for the full range of Leica equipment, and much more. www.lfi-online.de